Let Go, Let God

"Be Still and Know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10)

Someone wrote to the "Discussion Forum" of Friday Study Ministries, and asked the question, "what does it mean to 'Let Go, Let God'?"  I know what it means to me, but I decided to research the phrase on the Internet, to see where it originated.  I didn't find a precise origin, but found that it is, among other things:

·        A song by Lloyd and Barbara Cooper, from 1987.

·        A "Yoga" concept, with the superscript, "You don't have to be Religious".

·        A poem by Maria Irene Gonzalez.

·        An anonymous poem, which starts, "fear less, love more" (good advice).

·        A book by that name, offered on Amazon.com.

·        A slogan of Alcoholics Anonymous.

·        A tribute for "Bob who is terminally ill", from his caregiver, Sandy Miller.

·        And more.

Sandy Miller spoke highly of Bob and his courageous fight against a "rare immune disease."  She said of God, who was with them during this time, "He supplies every need, His grace is sufficient to get you through anything this world has to offer.  Through Bob's illness, God has really worked in my life.  I have found faith, love and strength, that can only come from God."

She referred to the Scripture, "Be still and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10) as a key to her ability to cope in the time of her crisis.  (It can be argued that all of us are always in crisis and always in need of God).

To "be still" is to "stop striving" or simply "cease" in the Hebrew, and it is a reminder to quit trying to “fix” all your problems and instead let God bear them with you.  He is so much better at it than you are.  This is very similar to "Let Go, Let God", referring to our very real need (especially in times of crisis) to look to God, not only for solutions, but also for the strength to get through.  There was a tune in the late 1800's, by Elisha Hoffman (who wrote over 2,000 Gospel songs), containing the words, "I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus; I cannot bear my burdens alone."  To "Let Go, Let God", is to follow the advice of that song.

To "Let Go, Let God" or “be still” is to understand that I am NOT God, and cannot (as in the song) "bear my burdens alone."  But people try to do exactly that (bear them alone), and then, when things don’t work out, they enter a form of denial that God exists for them, leaving only these kinds of explanation for God, in relation to what has happened.  They decide:

·        God doesn't exist, or

·        He does not care, or perhaps

·        He isn't able to help, or maybe

·        He's unwilling to help, because there’s something wrong with me.

Those are difficult choices, but they are also a lie, because none of them are true.

God DOES exist; He CARES, He’s ABLE, and He's willing to HELP you and me.  It must be pointed out that, yes, something IS wrong with us, which is why the Holy Spirit wrote through Paul, "ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).  Every one of us has fallen short, but there is unspeakable hope, for He offers infinitely more:  "The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal LIFE through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23).  His Law condemns us, but through His Grace we have an unexpected Gift, because Jesus paid the price, the penalty for our sins.  He died so that you can LIVE.  He bore your sins and you are free - If you WANT that freedom.

A week ago, we attended a graveside service for a lovely lady named Barbara Haynes, mother of Don Haynes, Vice President of Friday Study Ministries.  At the reception, we were speaking with Sheryl McKinney, who told about her son, Josh, and the heart problems that nearly took him from her, sixteen years before.  God miraculously restored Josh through the hands of a surgeon, and it should be noted that both the surgeon and his wife received Christ, as the result of Josh's recovery.

Sheryl had given Josh back to the Lord, during his (and her) darkest moments, and then God 1) gave Josh back to her, and 2) brought faith to others as a result of what happened to Josh. 

Sheryl also told of another couple who had a child with physical problems, and they turned AWAY from God, perhaps thinking "He does not care," as mentioned earlier.  Our heartache brings with it a choice.  We can either Let Go, Let God, in the midst of our difficulties, or we can turn away from Him, furious inside that things have not gone for us as we hoped.

God is real, He cares, He is able, and He loves you.  We often cannot see His loving hand, except in the midst of the storm in our lives, when we discover that we must learn to “Be still” and “KNOW that (He is) “God” (Psalm 46:10).  It’s at those times we finally discover how to “Let Go, Let God.”  There’s no other way.

Lord, let us become like Sandy and Sheryl, who have taught us by their example, to “Let Go, Let God” in our difficulties.  Let us learn to “Be Still” as we are taught by the Psalmist.  Dear Jesus, teach us to let go of always trying to do it ourselves and receive You now.  Fill us with Your Spirit, and let us trust in you.  In Jesus Name.  Amen.

    Ron Beckham, Pastor
    Friday Study Ministries
    www.fridaystudy.org
    E-mail: Ron@FridayStudy.org
    Tel: (562) 688-5559
    PO Box 92131
    Long Beach, CA 90809-2131
    "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)